Not cheap either.
Following the CPI, that $5 in 1913 would buy a $114 razor today.
The CPI calculator doesn't go back to 1905.
Following the CPI, that $5 in 1913 would buy a $114 razor today.
The CPI calculator doesn't go back to 1905.
Oldest Single Ring known
- Thread starter shekoujay
- Start date
Hmmm I have a bunch of those razors. I need to get out the lupe and start checking some numbers.
Lots of good points. I imagine since the SRN site is dead, the renaldo site "rescued" it or preserved it so it'd be around for people to use and since SRN is dead, obtaining permission wasn't possible? I also notice he did the same for the SRN Schick pages. The sales projection idea seems plausible. I just think we've seen too many live examples of 1905 single rings not to accept 1905 as the official start of them.
- Thread starter
- #27
Great inputs on my favorite topic. thanks everyone. Here's another early single ring with what could be a 1905 date code. Thanks to banjophd for putting it up for auction, and congratulations to whoever outbid me for this one !
- Thread starter
- #28
FWIW....the original safetyrazors list is preserved at Reocities.com:
http://www.reocities.com/safetyrazors/gil_ser2.htm
http://www.reocities.com/safetyrazors/gil_ser2.htm
Well, I've contacted Phillip Krumholz regarding this issue, and here is what he had to say....
It seems we may have too many spotted for this to be the sole solution. However, there are many possibilities that would account for it....
1 - Test marketing as stated by Mr Krumholz.
2 - Factory repairs of double ring handles with single ring.
3 - User repairs of a similar vein.
4 - Other "aftermarket" replacements.
5 - Some variation between the serial numbers and actual dates.
By the time you put all these together, you could have many examples floating around. The only way I can see to nail this down would be to find dated advertisements or product literature showing single and double ring razors.
It seems we may have too many spotted for this to be the sole solution. However, there are many possibilities that would account for it....
1 - Test marketing as stated by Mr Krumholz.
2 - Factory repairs of double ring handles with single ring.
3 - User repairs of a similar vein.
4 - Other "aftermarket" replacements.
5 - Some variation between the serial numbers and actual dates.
By the time you put all these together, you could have many examples floating around. The only way I can see to nail this down would be to find dated advertisements or product literature showing single and double ring razors.
Another possibility would be Gillette using up old inner barrels. We've seen stuff like that before. Dual date coded super adjustables during the transition from metal to plastic adjustment plates. The goodwill. For all we know the caps, barrels, knobs, and head/neck pieces could all be produced at vastly different times.
Extremely possible. Especially since the serial number dates in this period are an approximation anyway, and the single ring was "quietly" introduced.
Just for grins, I did a quick "internet inventory" of 1905 and 1906 Gillette ads. I found about a dozen of each. While I haven't verified any of these ads, here's what I found...
All the 1905 ads showed double rings.
Some of the 1906 ads showed single rings. They were split about 50/50 with double rings.
All the 1905 ads showed double rings.
Some of the 1906 ads showed single rings. They were split about 50/50 with double rings.
- Thread starter
- #33
More interesting bits of information, thank you Mr. Krumholz ! I like the test marketing theory.
In the meantime, here is one more to add to the list in a pristine condition case. Serial number 308091. I bid double what i bid last week and still got out-sniped....
In the meantime, here is one more to add to the list in a pristine condition case. Serial number 308091. I bid double what i bid last week and still got out-sniped....
Is it just me, or does it appear that all of the cased single rings with 1905 serial numbers have come from New York?
- Thread starter
- #35
Just as a single point of reference, I started doing a little research into ads in Google Books scanned titles myself. The Spatula, "an illustrated magazine for pharmacists," goes from a Double Ring in their March and April 1906 issues (first image below) to a Single Ring in their May, June, July, and August 1906 issues (second image).
Click either to see them in context. I'll do a little more poking around to see what other periodicals show. I find some awesome reading this way... The Spatula had particularly fantastic articles on the effects of color on the human nervous system and prescribing for dogs that I've bookmarked for future reading.
Click either to see them in context. I'll do a little more poking around to see what other periodicals show. I find some awesome reading this way... The Spatula had particularly fantastic articles on the effects of color on the human nervous system and prescribing for dogs that I've bookmarked for future reading.
- Thread starter
- #37
Great research ! It wouldn't be too far-fetched to believe that they started making single rings well before they advertised and sold them since "it moves quickly from stock." If you read the books about the early years, their advertising was very effective in creating demand. It would make sense that they started producing and stockpiling the single ring for several months before the first ads ran. The serial numbers, after all, tell you the sequence of manufacturing, not the date they were sold.
Hate to revive this thread, but I think its easier to go about this by adding to this one, rather than starting a new one.
Anyway, I just acquired a single ring with the serial number 28(could be 9?)0868. Hopefully, I can make out the 8 or 9 after cleaning. This looks like a double ring case though, no? BTW, the barrel was pretty much molded in place to the handle, took a lot of pressure to get it to turn. Whoever had this one hasn't done anything with it for a very long time.
Anyway, I just acquired a single ring with the serial number 28(could be 9?)0868. Hopefully, I can make out the 8 or 9 after cleaning. This looks like a double ring case though, no? BTW, the barrel was pretty much molded in place to the handle, took a lot of pressure to get it to turn. Whoever had this one hasn't done anything with it for a very long time.
Attachments
Looks like a good'un
- Thread starter
- #40
Another "1905 single ring" added to my collection: Serial number 329875.
